> telling
them how many copies you want and about your situation or project. Review by Maggie Wolfe
Reprinted from Spring 2000 AEOE Southern Newsletter
This book is GREAT! It is a very simple, yet not simplistic, explanation of Earth’s systems. In fact, Dr. Art’s Guide has been called “brilliantly simple.” It is a fun, informative, and even inspirational book. Reading it inspired me to change the way I organize my teaching week at Outdoor School. His three chapters on how Earth’s systems work, “Matter Cycles,” “Energy Flows,” and “Life Webs,” provide perfect guidelines for how to teach complex material in a way that connects to each student’s life.
The book not only gives clear explanations of Earth’s functioning, it
outlines some of our environmental problems and gives outlines for action without
being
either depressing or preachy. While Dr. Art does not shrink from giving his
own opinions on environmental issues, he encourages readers to draw their own
conclusions
and come up with their own plans using the “systems thinking” that
he outlines in his book.
Dr. Art works at WestEd, a regional educational laboratory to improve science
and environmental education, and is the main force behind the EdGateway web
site which you should check out for good networking and information. He gives
a “Planet
Earth Show” to go with his guide which I hope can be presented at a future
AEOE conference ... AND, he wears a tie-dyed lab coat!
WestEd offers special
purchase rates to encourage groups to use the guide as part of their work in
improving communities, educating teachers, teaching students,
and using sustainable business practices. Send an e-mail to <
> telling
them how many copies you want and about your situation or project.
There is a web site to go with the book, which is interactive with animations, experiments, and answers to questions. The address is www.planetguide.net ... check it out!